Chapter Forty-Three
Clare's POV — A Place to Rest
By the time the women of Wilson finally settled in the town, the winter sun had already begun to fade.
Many of them looked exhausted.
Some had walked for hours through snow-covered roads, carrying their belongings and helping younger girls along the way.
Now that the journey had ended, their strength seemed to disappear all at once.
I stood near the center of the street, watching them carefully.
A few women sat on the steps of nearby buildings while others leaned against walls, trying to warm their hands.
Guilt tugged slightly at my heart.
I had asked them to trust me.
To leave their homes and follow an uncertain path.
"Clare."
Noah's voice broke my thoughts.
She placed a gentle hand on my shoulder.
"Stop worrying so much."
I sighed softly.
"They're all tired."
"Of course they are," she said. "They walked from another kingdom in winter."
Emma approached us carrying several blankets.
"We should move them somewhere warmer," she suggested.
Aunt Laura nodded in agreement.
"My house is not large enough for everyone," she said thoughtfully, "but we can certainly help many of them."
Clausius, who had been quietly observing the situation, finally spoke.
"There are several empty storage halls near the market," he said. "They can be cleaned quickly."
Noah immediately clapped her hands once.
"Perfect. Let's organize this."
Within minutes everyone began moving.
Emma helped guide mothers and children toward the nearby buildings.
Noah ran back to the café to gather warm bread and soup.
Aunt Laura welcomed several women into her home, lighting extra candles to warm the rooms.
I moved through the crowd slowly, helping wherever I could.
One elderly woman smiled at me weakly.
"Thank you, child," she said.
"We would never have dared to leave without you."
Her words made my chest tighten slightly.
"I hope I made the right decision," I admitted quietly.
She patted my hand gently.
"Sometimes the right path is simply the brave one."
Nearby, Noah returned carrying a large basket filled with food.
"Hot bread!" she announced loudly.
Several tired women looked up immediately.
Emma laughed.
"Careful, Noah. You'll start a stampede."
Soon warm food was being passed around.
Small fires were lit in safe places.
The once-silent crowd slowly filled with soft conversation and relieved laughter.
For the first time since leaving Wilson, the women finally looked calm.
I stood near the doorway of one of the buildings, watching them.
Noah stepped beside me again.
"You did something big today," she said quietly.
"I'm not sure the Queen will see it that way."
Noah smiled slightly.
"Probably not."
Snow continued to fall gently outside as night slowly settled over the French town.
For now, the women of Wilson were safe.
Warm.
And finally resting.
But somewhere far away, royal carriages were already crossing the winter roads.
The Queen of Wilson was on her way to France.
And when she arrived, this quiet night would not last long.
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